He never put up a fight and now he's got to pay the price
He's in the state penitentiary doing twenty-to-life
He knows he dug himself into this hole
But everything will be alright if he just waits for parole
The nights are as empty as the days are long
But he'd better if he knew what it was he did wrong
Unsure if he's guilty
But it can't be helped because whatever the reason
He knows he brought it all on himself
He finds familiar comfort living in between walls
But a tiny voice keeps whispering
"This isn't living at all"
Does the life he's waiting for exist only in dreams?
His shoulders sag, he lowers his head and he screams
I won't offer a plea!
I won't offer a plea!
I won't offer a plea!
I won't, I won't
There's only one way out and I hold the key
I gotta get off my knees!
I gotta get off my knees!
I gotta get off my knees!
Get off, get off
There's only one way out and I hold the key
He lifts his head from his hands
Decides he doesn't want to sit
Alone in an empty cell
For a crime he didn't commit
Inhales deeply
And counts to three
Rips the bars out from the wall
He was out, but he wasn't free
You see, the guards were waiting
Armed with billy clubs and mace
And one had a .45 pointed right at his face
But when the dust had settled
He was the only one left to stand
The Warden stepped out from the shadows
And put up his hands
He said, "I'm sorry we kept you here
When you were never at fault
But now that you've done your time
We forgive your brazen assault"
Well our hero's eyes narrowed
He felt his heart begin to harden
And when it finally turned to stone he said
"I don't need your fucking pardon"